Active Citizenship and Climate Justice in Africa: Challenges and Prospects for Inclusive Climate Governance

The impacts of the climate crisis felt most acutely by African countries that contribute the least to global emissions underscore the urgent need for strategic, concerted, and inclusive action. These countries, already grappling with structural poverty and governance challenges, require a climate response that transcends technocratic solutions. This article argues that such a response must be grounded in the paradigms of active citizenship and climate justice, positioning citizens especially youth, women, and local communities as co-creators of solutions. Anchored in a systemic and socio-constructivist approach, the study explores how the correlation between active citizenship and climate justice, when properly theorized and implemented, can foster inclusive climate governance in Africa. By critically examining power dynamics, inclusion mechanisms, and recognition struggles within climate governance frameworks, the article highlights both the transformative potential and inherent limitations of citizen participation. Ultimately, it advocates for a structural shift toward participatory, context-sensitive, and justice-oriented climate policies on the continent.